Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-01-09
RAILWAY NOTES.
A NOTABLE YEAR ron RAIhRoADs


The Raillcay Age will print an inter
estina statistical Article showing the
mileage of railroad built daring the
year, together with comparisons With
previous years and by States. IL is
shown thai the past year has been nota-
bic as period of remarkable activity Ia
railway construction, exceeding IN the
aggregate Of new track added all of its
predecessors, With the exception of ~ o
years-1SsI, when 9796 miles we're baiii,
and in 1882, 10 which no less than IL ,56S
miles we're added. In the year just
closing over 5000 miles were adaed.
Phis was distributed through the various
States as follows: New England States,
81; Middle states, S99; Southern States,
HOP; Middle Western states, Ills;
acknowledgement, 1885, Southwestern
States. 2250; Pacific States, 561; grand
total, 500. sslsx
Kansas leads the country with the sur
prisine amount Of 1870 miles of track
laid down In twelve months; indeed. the
greater part of this has actually been
laid within six months, very little track
LAYING having been done IN that State,
or indeed any other-in the early part
of the year. Nebraska comes second
with 7s7 miles; Dakota next with S76
miles; Minnesota with 587 miles, and
Texas With 54S miles. Assuming the
average cost 10 have been only 81, 900
per mile, this means an expenditure for
roadway alone Of Si60,O00,000. Add TO
this the enormous and unknown amount
expended for equipment and the still
larger amount expended for wages, fuel
aud the other expenses Of operating this
mileage, and the tetal 10 almost incredi-
BILE. Unfortunately very considerable
part OF the construction recently COM
pletea and of that under way Ia che re-
salt Of intense competition between
great companies, which h Multiplying
parallel and unnecessary lines 10 an ex-
tent veil nigh alarming.
ANoTHKR BRANCH LINE PROPOSED.
O. B. Wright, Jr., 10 In Washington
Terrisery, looking oveE tbs ground for
protected branches Of the Northern Pa
ciEio. The latest proposed 10 one from
the main line Of the road 10 Walla
Walla. AZ q recent meeting Of the res
idenss Of that tewn Mr.. wright is said
10 have guaranteed the building Of snch
q read, provided the people Of Walla
walla would guarantee . bonsa Of
4T5,0oo. This vas met With . esnntef
pEosiaion, which was that the producers
OF that region voaId agree 70 ship ali
their grain 10 the SQUAD. via the North
era Pacific, the next two years, provided
she company would carry IL for "a .
ton. Bonds for the execution Of the
agreements was proposed, bGs Mr..
Wright said be would have 70 fFsl sab
nit the propss tion 10 The Board Of
Directors before be could aAy or do
ANYTHING definite. The present grain
rate 60 the Sound is about $l2.-Ss.
Pasl Psoaery Press.
An xLHCxR1o RAILRoAp.
A dispatch from Scranton. Penn, De-
a4uaheF 81, says: The latest evidences
az ScrAnteu enterprise Ia shogn 10 The
sozioraent and successful operation Of
an electric street railway. THIS novel
contribution 20 rapid transit has Just
heen mt in running order By tie ecran-
400 Suburban Railway Company. and
moves With the regularity % clock work
from the center Of the city. as q point
ouoasiks the Delaware, L8ckawanRa a
Wessern Railroad staten, 10 q suk1rh
sailed GFeAn Ridge. distances Of about
too miles. I've handsome Pullman
oars have been paacad on the track and
are ran smoothly and expe1isiously
alaoa levsi&, aFsund sarves and I'd
rather steep grades. Eaea ear aasrds
ssatlna recommendation for twsnfy sfx
persons. TIE motor 10 IN q small com
psrtmesf Ia fFcns, and tue poWsr u ap-
piled BY ooes 30 the two fore wheels A
traveller roaming ai0ng wire asrunR as
an elevation Of q few feea nbave the ear
and about mi3wsy over tie track, con
yeys The pewsF frou tie dynamo. whish /
is IN the woEks Of tbs Scranton klecarto 1
LA9ht Oompany. 20 the raotox n TIE ear. /
ana sega The wkseia n naosfon. This b /
sa4fiy ennarnlied and naaa eaestisa. -
RaikFuaa Gasstas. !